India restarts tourist visas for Bangladesh as envoy Dinesh Trivedi elevated to cabinet rank in Dhaka
India on Thursday announced the resumption of tourist visas for Bangladeshi nationals, marking a significant step in efforts to normalise relations between the two neighbours after nearly two years of diplomatic strain.
Dinesh Trivedi elevated to cabinet rank in Dhaka
The announcement came hours after India's new High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, formally presented his credentials to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Speaking at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka, Trivedi said normal tourist visa applications from Bangladeshi nationals would resume from June 28.
"I am very happy to announce that we are resuming our normal visa applications for tourist visas," he said.
The former Union minister and senior BJP leader was appointed India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh earlier this year and assumed charge in Dhaka this month.
He has also been accorded a rank equivalent to that of a Union Cabinet Minister in Bangladesh's Table of Precedence for ceremonial functions.
Move aimed at normalising relations
The decision comes amid ongoing efforts by New Delhi and Dhaka to improve ties that deteriorated sharply following the ouster of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
Since then, bilateral relations have witnessed a period of uncertainty despite diplomatic engagement from both sides.
India has sought to strengthen ties with the government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who came to power following the February 2026 elections.
Immigration issue continues to cast shadow
Despite efforts to improve relations, illegal immigration remains a sensitive issue between the two countries.
Bangladesh has repeatedly raised concerns over alleged "push-in" policies adopted by some Indian states, leading to diplomatic exchanges between the two governments.
Last week, Bangladeshi official Zahed Ur Rahman reportedly returned to Dhaka after being stopped at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport while travelling on a SAARC visa.
Sharp decline in visitor numbers
The deterioration in ties had a direct impact on cross-border travel.
Before the political upheaval in Bangladesh, around 1.75 million Bangladeshi nationals visited India annually. The curtailment of regular visa services saw that figure fall to around 470,000 in 2025.
India had 11 Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) operating across Bangladesh before the crisis. Currently, five centres are functioning in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Khulna and Sylhet.
Trivedi said more visa centres would be reopened in the coming months.
Broader push to rebuild trust
The resumption of tourist visas is part of a wider effort by both countries to restore normal engagement.
Several bilateral mechanisms have been revived in recent months, including high-level diplomatic exchanges.
However, the consular dialogue mechanism, considered crucial for addressing immigration-related concerns, remains inactive.
The latest move is expected to boost people-to-people contacts and signal a gradual thaw in India-Bangladesh relations.
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